20 things to do in the Detroit area this weekend (Dec. 15-17)

By Layla McMurtrie on Tue, Dec 12, 2023 at 9:41 am

This time of the year lowkey has a weird mix of events going on. Whether your interests include music, art, kinky shit, or keeping your holiday spirit high, this weekend has many options. Getting yourself through the work week with the anticipation of holidays, and hopefully a little break, can be difficult. Luckily, metro Detroit has some stuff going on to look forward to that can hopefully help get you through it.

If you’re looking for even more to do every day of the week, visit the Metro Times events calendar, which is free to use if you have something planned that you’d like to advertise to Metro Times readers.

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Detroit Public Theatre, Facebook

Holiday Cabaret

When: Dec. 13-17
Where: Detroit Public Theatre
What: A raunchy holiday performance
Who: Performers
Why: Enjoy a unique show with original songs to get you in the holiday spirit with friends.

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Facebook, Blackbird Gallery

Fine Arts Holiday Market

When: Dec. 15 from 5-9 p.m.
Where: Blackbird Gallery, Farmington Hills
What: A holiday arts market
Who: Gallery artists and guest artists
Why: Not only will there be art of all mediums for sale, but visitors will also get to engage with artists to learn more about their creative process and the stories behind the work.

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Shutterstock

Margaret Cho

When: Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Royal Oak Music Theatre
What: A comedy show
Who: Margaret Cho
Why: Get a laugh in to kick off the weekend.

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Facebook, Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts

One Sleepy Night-Detroit

When: Dec. 15 from 7-9 p.m.
Where: The Music Hall
What: An original Christmas musical
Who: A 20-person cast and choir
Why: See a modern-day holiday show featuring 16 original songs and break-dancing angels.

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Courtesy photo

SeaStories: Part 3

When: Dec. 15-16
Where: Detroit Contemporary
What: A performance art show
Who: Satori Circus
Why: Support local artists.

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Facebook, Class of '98

Class of 98 Band, The 90s Party Palooza

When: Dec. 15 at 8 p.m.
Where: Magic Bag
What: A ’90s dance party
Who: You and the homies
Why: The event is promoting itself as “Detroit’s biggest ’90s party.”

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Facebook, Analog Soul

Analog Soul

When: Dec. 16 at 8 p.m.
Where: Spot Lite
What: A night of music
Who: NYC duo Analog Soul presented by Underground Music Academy and Blueprint
Why: Join the fun of the New York duo’s Spot Lite debut with local sounds from DEJ.Y, DJ Etta, AK, and Black Moon Child.

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Facebook, SoDown

SoDown: Blast Off Tour

When: Dec. 15 from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Big Pink
What: Bass music
Who: SoDown
Why: The saxophone and bass music player SoDown is in Detroit to play some tunes.

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Facebook, Bar Crawl LIVE Detroit

2023 Official Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl Detroit by Bar Crawl LIVE!

When: Dec. 16 from 3-10 p.m.
Where: Various Detroit bars and nightclubs
What: A festive bar crawl
Who: Bar Crawl LIVE
Why: Get into a funky sweater and get lit for the afternoon with other fun Detroiters.

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Facebook, Playground Detroit

A Very Merry Market

When: Dec. 16 from 12-5 p.m.
Where: Playground Detroit
What: A holiday pop-up event
Who: Local artists and shoppers
Why: The festive market features established Detroit vendors offering a unique mix of gift options and vintage wear.

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Courtesy photo

Black Tech Saturdays’ Holiday Showcase

When: Dec. 16 from 1-5 p.m.
Where: New Lab @ Michigan Central
What: A holiday showcase and celebration
Who: Detroit artists
Why: Local artists will highlight the connection between innovation and tech to the public with live tech demos from Detroit startups, as well as youth-centered robotics and augmented reality demonstrations from Detroit youth. The showcase will be followed by an 18+ holiday party celebrating Black Tech Saturday’s successful first year of community building around equity in tech.

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Viola Klocko

Art for Palestine and Market

When: Dec. 16 from 2-7 p.m.
Where: Spot Lite
What: An art market
Who: Local artists and small businesses
Why: Make signs in solidarity with Palestine and explore unique work from local vendors.

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Instagram, @thecommonsdetroit

Open Mic at The Commons

When: Dec. 16 from 6-8 p.m.
Where: The Commons
What: An open mic and art night
Who: Local nonprofits The Vision Detroit and MACC Development
Why: Watch local performers, showcase your own talent, draw with provided art supplies, and support a new arts nonprofit in the city.

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Austin Richey / Detroit Opera

Detroit Opera Community Concert

When: Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Western International High School
What: A free Detroit Opera concert
Who: Detroit Opera
Why: It’s part of Detroit Opera Music Director Roberto Kalb’s “Beyond the Pit” series, where he hopes to bring opera to Detroit’s communities and highlight orchestra musicians outside the opera house.

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Courtesy photo

Shibari by Hajime Kinoko

When: Dec. 16 from 8-11 p.m.
Where: Russell Industrial Center
What: A Shibari performance
Who: Hajime Kinoko and rope artist Marie Sauvage
Why: Kinoko’s shows are more than typical bondage and are similar to live theater. The Shibari master, known for creating endless webs of red rope, is in Detroit for his current tour.

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Instagram, @urbanartorchestra

Urban Art Orchestra Holiday Party

When: Dec. 16 at 8 p.m.
Where: The Shelter
What: An 18+ holiday party
Who: Urban Art Orchestra
Why: The event is hosted by Chris the Barber, with sounds by BLAAQGOLD, Amber Chene, John Houston, 313 The Live Experience, The Monalyse, and Mia Simone.

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Facebook, Noir Leather

40th Anniversary Kinky Christmas

When: Dec. 16 from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Noir Leather, Royal Oak
What: A longstanding NSFW Christmas event
Who: Noir Leather
Why: Play kinky games and partake in naughty activities to celebrate this event’s anniversary.

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@sxrreal

Donavan Glover

When: Dec. 16 from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Big Pink
What: A DJ set
Who: Detroit DJ Donavan Glover
Why: Dance all night to funk, disco, Latin house, Amapiano, and other music from across the globe.

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Facebook, Red Door

Holiday Market

When: Dec. 17 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Red Door Digital
What: A holiday market
Who: You and your friends and family
Why: Christmas is close. If you haven’t finished your shopping yet, you should do it here.

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Facebook, Suburban Collection Showplace

Holiday Magic Spectacular: A Walk-Thru Holiday Experience

When: Dec. 15-23
Where: Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi
What: A family-friendly Christmas experience
Who: Holiday characters and families
Why: Get in the holiday spirit with a walk through over 1000 Christmas trees, entertainment, food, shopping, and meet and greets with holiday characters.

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